Automatic case filling machine



Aug. 28, 1956 G. J. oKULlTcH ETAL 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet l Filed oct. 9, 1952 5 WAYcLurcH /NVEN 70x25 Aug- 28, 1956 G. J. QKULITCH ET AL 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed oct. s, 1952 s sheets-sheet 2 Aug-28, 1956 G. JQoKULlTcH Erm. 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9. 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 www CC O 3,

Aug 28, 1956 G. J. oKULlTcH ETAL 2,760,316

AUTOMATC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y um;

Aug. 28, 1956 G. J. oKULlTcH ErAL 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug.28, 1956 G, J. OKULITCH ETAL 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fg gln" "I Al1g- 28, 1955 G. J. oKuLlTcH ETAL 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 9, 1952 5)/Zia@ y@ A 7 ORA/5K5 ug- 28, 1956 G. J. OKULITCH ETAL 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 8mllllm 1W//Y//f//JW/////////////////////////////,l

G. J. QKuLrrcH Erm. v 2,760,316

AUTOMATIC CASE FILLING MACHINE Aug. 28, 1956 Filed oet. s.' 1952 esheets-sheet s Bbva WOLLOQ nited States Patent O AU'I'QMA'IIC CASEFILLING MACHINE George Joseph Okulitch and Igor Zoznlin, Vancouver,British Columbia, Canada Application October 9, 1952, Serial No. 313,846

Claims priority, application Canada August 12, 1952 16 Claims. (Cl.53-61) This invention has to do with machines for placing containers incross-partitioned shipping cases or cartons.

The invention has as its chief object the provision of an improvedmechanism for a machine as described in my Patent No. 2,643,043.

According to one aspect of the invention, -in a machine `for placingcontainers in shipping cases, there are provided conveyor means -fordelivering containers to said machine in single file;intermittently-actuated gate means for periodically admitting sets of agiven number of containers singly into said machine; means effective tospace the containers in each of said sets apart from one another;intermittently-actuated loading means for moveach of said sets laterallyof said conveyor `onto a support until the number of sets of containersrequired to ll an empty case has been asembled on said support; furthermeans effective to space said sets apart yfrom one another; meanssensitive to the assembly of the required number of sets of containerson said support whereby temporarily to prevent further operation of saidgate means and said loading means; means whereby to grip and raise thecontainers assembled on said support; means responsive to the raising ofsaid containers whereby to move said support from beneath saidcontainers and to shift the loading means out of vertical alignment withthe assembled sets of containers; means effective to lower saidcontainers below the level of said support to deposit them in anawaiting case; and means sensitive to the deposition of said containersin said case effective to return said support to its original positionand to release for further operation said gate means and said loadingmeans.

In .a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gate means may comprisea gate member mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of the pathof the containers being fed to the machine. The means to space thecontainers may comprise a number of spacing members mounted to give acomb like structure and generally parallel with the gate member. Theloading means may' e in the form of a multi-channel frame or cagemounted for reciprocal movement transversely of the conveyor v means-beyond the gate member in tion of travel of the conveyor.

The means provided to grip and raise the containers assembled on thesupport comprises at least one pair of elongated jaw members pivotallymounted yto a horizon tally disposed common axis and capable of closingabout the necks of a number of containers assembled in a row, the commonaxis being mounted to a vertically movable elevator `frame. Each pair ofjaw members has extending upwards therefrom co-operating lever arms, onearm being secured to each jaw member and Ydisposed on the same side ofthe common axis as such jaw member. The jaw members may be provided withsprings to urge one away from the other. Furthermore the grip meanscomprises wedge `means slidably carried on the elevator frame, whichmeans are aligned with a pair of co-operatrelation to the direcl iceing` lever arms. Means are provided to force the Wedge means between thelever arms thereby moving the jaw members towards one another when theelevator commences to ascend and further means are provided to withdrawthe wedge means from between said lever arms just before said elevatorreaches lits lowermost position in subsequent descent.

An example of the present invention will now be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation ofa case lling machine having certain parts thereof removed for clarity.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of Ithe machine along the line 2-2 ofFigure 3 showing the cage in loading position with certain partsomitted.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine along the line 3 3 of Figure 2with certain par-ts omitted.

Figure 4 is a cross section along the line 4-4 of Figure 5 of the onerevolution clutch.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view along the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the locking means which determine onerevolution of the clutch shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of Figure 8 of theelectromagnetic counter box.

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view along the line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional elevation through the three way clutch.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the jaw assembly.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the jaw assembly with parts in section.

Figures 12 and 13 disclose details of the automatic case stoppingdevice.

Figure 14 is an enlarged View of a detail of Figures 12 and 13.

Figure 15 is a sectionall view of the delaying brake used in connectionwith the conveyor for the shipping cases.

Figure 16 -is a schematic view of the electrical circuits controllingand synchronizing the various operations in the machine.

Referring to the drawings the machine will vbe described by referencerst to the general frame construction and then by describing in detailthe various units which make up the complete machine.

The machine of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings comprises a main frame indicated generally by the character F.This Iframe as shown is of open design and comprises vertical andhorizontal members shown by the numerals 1 and 2 and made from suitablestructural shapes.

In the following description reference will frequently be made tomicro-switches, electromagnets 4and the like, which form part of thecontrol circuit of the present invention. For purposes of clarity thesehave often been omitted from the mechanical drawings, Figures l to 15.They are, however, illustrated diagramatically in the control circuitshown in Figure 16. It is, therefore, suggested that whenever referenceis made to Figures 1 to 15, these should be read in conjunction withFigure 16.

The operation of the machine consists of three principal cycles and forclarity of description the construction and interrelation of theelements constituting such distinct cycle of operation will be describedas a unit.

Delivery of containers to machine material handling system of theparticular plant and not an essential constituent of the presentinvention passes through the generally rectangular opening 3 in theframe and lwhich extends from front to back of the machine. Forconvenience in describing the machine and its operation, that side oft-he machine to which the lled containers are delivered to be loadedwill be called the front and the remote side, the back of the machine.

Previously filled Vand sealed containers are carried along in singletile by a moving conveyor belt 4. As they reachthe machine each bottlein turn is stopped by the outer tooth of a comb like spacer or gate 5.

Activation of spacer and loadng'cage The spacerV 5 is disposedparallelto the conveyor 4 and is mounted for reciprocal movement wherebytheV any broken or undersized bottles will not excite the cell 6 andthus be admitted into the machine. It is preferable to use three lightsources so situated that* the beam of light from each source may beinterrupted by the neck of a particular size of bottle, i. e., one lightsource for quarts, one for pints and one for half-pints. Thus, theappropriate light source may be energized according to the size of thebottles being handled.

Upon the excitation of the photo-electric cell 6, the

teeth of spacer 5 and at the same time into the iirst v channel of aloading cage 3. by reference to Figure 3). As the first bottle advancesinto the space between the iirst two teeth of the spacer 5, the secondbottle interrupts the light beam associated with the cell6 and thespacer Vis again reciprocated. When this occurs the iirst bottle passesfrom the space between the first and second teeth of the spacer to thatbetween the second and third teeth while the second bottle enters thespace between theV first and second teeth. Thus, due to the motion ofthe conveyor 4, each time the cell 6 is excited andthe spacer 5 isreciprocated, the bottles move forward through the space between twokteeth of the spacer S until the receiving channel of the loading cage 8is filled. X

The loading. cage S, which may be clearly seen in (This may be clearlyseen Figure 3, is also comb-like in configuration, with the teeth 8athereof extending from a back plate 8b generally parallel to the belt 4in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the belt 4.

As will be described in greater detail below, the cage is mounted formovement transversely of the conveyor 4 above the level of the spacer 5so that it may be moved from one side of the conveyor 4 to the other,thus align-k ing, in turn, each of the channels between the teeth 8athereof with the conveyor 4.

When the photo-cell 6 is excited by the interruption of the light beamassociated therewith by a bottle, the signal excited therein initiatesactuation of an electromagnet EMI which in turn causes a one revolutionclutch 7 to complete for one revolution, a rotation-transmittingconnection between a motor 16 and a crank linkage 10.

along the shaft 12. When this occurs, the projection 11a is brought intoengagement with a projection 13V which extends downwardly from thespacer 5. The spacer is itself slidably mounted on shafts 5a and theforce exerted by the projection 11n and the projection 13 acts to slidethe spacer 5 along the shafts 5a away from the conveyor 4.

It will be noted that the projection 11a will not act to move the spacer5 in the other direction. The return of the spacer 5 to its normalposition, i. e., that shown in Figures l and 2, is accomplished by meansof springs 9. it is desirable that the return motion of the spacer 5 beless positive than the return of the sleeve 11, in order that bottleswhich are slightly out of line might be gently nudged into positionrather than possibly broken by the teeth of the spacer 5. Eachreciprocal movement of the spacer 5 actuates a counter indicatedgenerally by the numeral 36. This counter, which will be described inmore detail in connection with Figure 7, controls the transversemovement of the loading cage.

At the commencement of operation the loading cage 8, which is slidablymounted on guide rail 57, is in its outermost position, i. e., thatshown in Figure l, so that the irst of its channels is aligned with theconveyor 4. Each time a bottle is admitted into the channel by thereciprocal movement of the spacer 5, .the 4counter 36 is tripped. Thiscounter, as will be described later, is preset to prevent furtheractuation 0f the spacer 5 when a full complement of bottles has enteredthe channel.

At the same time as the counter 36 acts to prevent further movement ofthe spacer 5, it also initiates operation of the cage 8 which movestransversely ofthe belt 4 towards the center of the machine until thenext or second channel thereof is aligned with the belt 4. This isaccomplished by causing a three-way clutch`49, which will be describedin 'greater detail in connection with Figure 9, to complete, for therequired period of time, arotationtransmitting connection between amotor 69 and a crank linkage 55, through bevel gearing '54,. The rotarymotion' of the motor 69 is transformed into linear motion by the cranklinkage 55 which motion is imparted to the cage it through a pin 56 bywhich the crank linkage 55 is pivotj ally connected to the cage 8.

Elevator mechanism and loading plate As the bottles are moved from theconveyor 4 by the action 4of the cage 8 they slide onto a loading plate58 (see FiguresA l and 2), to which i-s attached a further plate 59having formed thereon guide ridges 59a `extending in the direction ofmovement of the cage S Yand which maintain the correct spacing of thebottles originally established by the teeth of the spacer 5. Positionedimmediately above the loading plate S8 is an elevator consisting of amain frame 62 slidably mountedcn four columns 61.

Removably attached .to the undersidefof the frame 62 is alplate 63 fromwhich are suspended a number of pairs of elongated jaws 74.` Thelongitudinal axis of each pair of `jaws '74 lextends in a ydirectiongenerally parallel to the directionV of travel of the cage 8. Each pairof jaws Vis of suiiicient length to receive a number of bottlescorresponding to the number of channels in in the cage 3; and the numberof pairs of jaws 74 corresponds to the number of bottles which may beretained in any one channel of thecage 8.' It will-be apparent fromreference to Figure 3 that when the cage 8 is "in its innermostposition, the spacingof the bottles occasioned'by the teeth 8a of thecage 8 and the teethV of the spacer 5 corresponds to Ythe spacing of zthe partitions normally found in cases Adesigned for carrying bottles.It is so spaced that the bottlesk are to be inserted into an empty case.Thus the pairs of jaws 74 are spaced apart as to each be aligned withthe bottles held between any two adjacent ridges 59a of the plate 59, i.e., a row of bottles one of which being in each channel of the cage 8.

By reference to Figure 2, the position occupied by the elevator frame 62when the cage 8 is moving towards its innermost position, will be seen.The pairs of jaws 74 are open at this point and as the cage 8 movesinwardly the tops of the bottles between any two adjacent ridges 59apass between the individual jaws of the pair of jaws 74 held directlyabove the space between such ridges 59a.

As mentioned earlier, as soon as the case 3 reaches its innermostposition the operation of the spacer 5 is halted. At the same time theelevator mechanism is The mechanism by which the pairs of jaws 74 areclosed as the elevator frame 62 commences to rise will be described inconnection with Figures and 1l.

The elevator mechanism itself consists of a disc 66 driven :by a motor68 through a 2-step one-revolution clutch 76 and reduction gearing. Therotary motion of the dise 66 when the clutch 70 is engaged intransformed into linear motion and transmitted to the elevator frame 62by means of a slotted connecting rod 64 which is connected at one end tothe periphery of the disc 66 by means of a pivot pin 67 and at the otherend to the elevator frame 62 by means of a bracket and bearing 65.

Once the elevator frame 62 commences its ascent to lift the bottlesclear of the loading plate 58 a switch associated with the elevatormechanism is closed thus effecting engagement of a 2-step one-revolutionclutch 71. (See Figures l and 2.) The clutch 71 when engaged cornpletesa rotation transmitting connection between a motor 72 and a cranklinkage 73 which linkage serves to impart linear motion to the loadingplate 58. Thus the loading plate 58 is withdrawn from the path of theelevator frame 62 to the position shown in ghost in Figure l. At thesame time, the clutch 40 is also energized causing the return of thecage 8 to the position shown in Figure 3, i. e., its outer position.

After the plate 58 and the cage 8 have vbeen removed from the downwardpath of the elevator frame 62, and provided a shipping case has beenproperly positioned, the elevator frame 62 commences its descent.

Shipping case mechanism Passing directly beneath the loading plate 58 inan extension of the downward path of the elevator frame 62 is a shippingcase conveyor 85 (see Figure l) with associated guide rails and plates86, 87 and 88. Shipping cases passing along the conveyor 85 are halteddirectly in the downward path of the elevator frame 62 by means of astopping device generally indicated at 89. As an additional safetyfactor, a delaying brake 90 is provided to insure proper operation ofthe stopping device 89.

etails of the operation of the stopping device 89 and the delaying brake90 will be described in connection with Figures 12, 13, 14 and l5. Letus now assume however that a shipping case has been halted in thedownward path of the elevator frame 62 and is waiting deposition thereinof the bottles suspended from the pairs of jaws.

Towards the lower limit of the descent of the elevator frame 62 theprocedure for closing the pairs of jaws 74 is reversed, as will bedescribed in connection with Figures 10 and 1l, and the bottles arereleased. This occurs when the bottoms of the bottles are a shortdistance above the bottom of the shipping case and the bottles fall fromthe pairs of jaws 74 into their proper places in the shipping case.

The elevator frame 62 now commences to ascend again and comes to rest inthe rest position, i. e., that shown in Figure l. When this occurs thehalf revolution clutch 71 is again energized and the loading plate 5S isreturned to its rest position directly beneath the elevator frame 62. Atthe same time circuits are closed to permit renewed actuation of thespacer 5 and the entire sequence of operation begins again.

The detailed construction and operation of the various parts referred toabove in general will now be described.

Details of the one revolution clutch 7 through which the spacer 5 isoperated are shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. A metal housing 14 is mountedon the general supporting frame. A drive shaft 15 from the motor 16extends into the interior of the housing 14 and has mounted on the endthereof within the housing 14 a worm gear 17. Mounted within the housing14 is a shaft 19 extending in a direction generally perpendicular tothat of the shaft 15 and which has mounted thereon a Worm wheel 13 whichengages the worm gear 17 mounted on the shaft 15. The end of the shaft19 remote from the gear 1'7 extends through a cone bearing 20 andcarries a disc 21. It will be seen that as long as the motor 16 is inoperation the disc 21 will revolve. The disc 21 may thus be referred toas the driving disc. A further shaft 23 is supported on the aforesaidend of the shaft 19 by a thrust bearing 24 which is in the form of asingle ball bearing. On the upper face of the disc 21 an annularprojection is formed which defines a recess in which a cone bearing 25is mounted to provide radial support for the end of the shaft 23 bearingagainst the shaft 19.

Mounted on the shaft 23 is a second disc 26, which may be referred to asthe driven disc. The face of the driven disc 26 directed towards thedisc 21 has formed therein a recess into which the aforesaid annularprojection on the disc 21 extends.

The disc 21 has formed therein a series of circular holes 22 locatedabout the periphery thereof in an annular manner. The driven disc 26also has two circular holes 31 therein which may be aligned by relativerotation of the two discs 21 and 26 with any two adjacent holes 22 inthe disc 21. Loosely inserted in the holes 31 are two lock pins 27 whichdepend from a block 28. The block 2S is urged towards the disc 26, andthe lock pins 27 accordingly into the holes 31, by means of a lea-fspring 30 which is secured to the disc 26. Thus the action of the leafspring 30 will tend to force the lock pins 27 through the holes 31 andinto two adjacent holes 22 in the disc 21. The effect of this is to lockthe two discs 21 and 26 together so that the rotary motion of the shaft14 is transmitted to the shaft 23. The clutch, however, should normallyremain disengaged and only engage, when actuated, for a singlerevolution. This is accomplished by means of a further block 29 whichacts to raise the block 23 suficiently to withdraw the pins 27 from theholes 22 in the disc 21.

The co-operation of the blocks 28 and 29 may be clearly seen from Figure6. The block 28 has an inclined surface 28a which cooperates with aninclined surface 29a on the block 29. The block 29 is held in place bytwo bars 32 which `are slidably mounted in the casing 14. Normally theblock 29 is urged inwardly into engagement with the block 28 by means ofa spring 33, best seen in Figure 5. Whenever it is desired to actuatethe clutch the block 29 is withdrawn from engagement with the block 28against the spring 33. This permits the spring 3i) to urge the block 28downwards so that the pins 27 lock the discs 21 and 26 together. If theblock 29 is allowed to return to its innermost position immediatelyafter having been disengaged from the block 23, the latter block willcome into engagement with the block 29 and ride up on the inclinedsurface 29a thereof again at the completion of one revolution.

Withdrawal of the lbflock 29 lis effected through a linkage 34 and aplunger 35 which, in the present embodiment, is ythe plunger of anelectrornagnet EM which is encrgized up'on Ithe excitation of la signalin the photo-cell 6.

I-t wil-l be remembered rthat at the beginning of the presentdescription reference was made to the eieot that the machine vcould Ibesetto handle various sizes of bottles, such as qua-rt, pint landhalfapint. It will be understood lthat in order to do this -a number ofparts of the machine will have to be changeable in accordance with thesize of the bottles to be packed. For instance, the teeth of the spacerlvas shown in Figure 1 fare specifically 4adapted to handle quartbottles. lf pint or halt-pint bottles are to be handled the teeth of'the spacer 5 would have to be replaced by other teeth, the spacing ofwhich corresponds to those bottle sizes, i. e., the spaces between theteeth will Y be correspondingly smaller and correspondingly greater innumber (assuming ythat the shipping cases are substantial-ly similar insize).

Similarly, the teeth 8a of the cage 8, the plate 53 with its dependentset of pairs of jaws 74, and the plate 59 with guide ridges 59a may allbe changed 'according to the size of the bottles being handled. l

From the foregoing it will be clearly ,seen that `the sequence ofoperation Iof -the spacer 5 land the cage 8 will be dependent upon fthesize of the bottles being handled. While it only :takes four quartbottles to fill a channel in the `cage 8 it lmay take six hal=fpintbottles to lill the same channel. Thus, in the case of quarts, the cageS shall 'be moved transversely latter the spacer 5 has reoiprocated fourttimes while in the case of half-pints, it must not :be moved until thespacer 5 has reciprooated six times. The synchronization between thereciprocation of the -spacer 5 and the movement of fthe cage 8 iscontrolled by means of the counter 36, details of which are shown inFigures 7 and 8.

Within the counter 36 -are positioned two sets of three micro-switchesMS2, 2a and 2b, normally closed, and MS7, 7a :and 7b, normally opened,in Figures 7 and 8, only fthe one set of switches, namely, the MS2, 2aand 2b, is shown, together with the counting mechanism, since the twosets iare operated in an identical Vmanner. Each micro-switch MS2,"2aand 2b lis provided with 'a rocker arm 39 which may be brought to .bearon the actuating lever of the micro-switch concerned by means of aprojection 38 rigidly secured to la plate 200 which is slidahly mountedbetween two shafts 201. A-s be seen from Figure 8, there is a projection38 'aligned with each of the rocker arms 39. FDhe plate 200 is so biasedby springs 202, see Figure 7, that the projections 38 'are urged awayfrom the rocker arms 39. On the tace of the plate 230 remo-te from theprojections 33 are formed itwo ratchets 203 'and 203a. with the ratchet203, on -a member 204 slidably mounted on `shafts 205 for movement.to-wards and away lfrom the ratchet 203 within a frame 206. The -frame206 is, in turn, sli-dably mounted on shafts 207 parallel Iwith theshats 201. 'The lframe 204 is urged towards the ratchet 203 by means ofla spring 208 and the catch 37 is further urged towards the ratchet bymeans of a spring 209, the catch 37 being mounted to the trame 204 forlimited pivotal movement about -a pivot 210. The frame 206 is urgedalong the shatts 207 by springs 211 in a direction simil-ar to that inwhich the plate 200 is urged by the springs 202.

An electromagnet EMB is mounted in the counter so as to act upon theframe `206 and cause it to move, when the electromagnet EMB lisenergized, along the shaft 207 against the action of the springs 211.When this occurs the catch 37 engages a tooth olf the ratchet 203 on theplate 200 which moves :a similar distance along the shaft 201, thusmoving the projection 38 toward the rocker arm 39. When theelectromagnet EBM is cle-energized, the frame 206 is urged hack :intoits original position by the springs 211, but the pla-te 200 rem'ains inthe position to which it was moved by the catch 37 by virtue of a secondcatch 37a.

rDhecatch 37a is mounted for engagement with the A catch 37 is mounted,jfor engagement ratchet 203a on a frame 204a which is slidably mountedfor movement towards and away from the ratchet 203a on shafts 205a. tothe counter housing so that the trame 204a is not movable in thedirection parallel to that of the longitudinal axes off the shafts 207`as is the frame 204. The -frame 204a is biased towards the ratchet 203aby means of ya spring 208a rand the catch 37a is also urged towards theratchet 203:1 by a spring 209a.

r[Thus it will be seen that the movement of the plate 200 along theshafts 201 iby 'the action of the electromagnet EMB through the frame206 and the catch 37, will move the teeth of the ratchet 203 over thecatch 37a which remains stationary. It is the engagement of the catch37a with the ratchet 203:1 which prevents the plate 200 Ifrom returningunder the action of the springs 202 to its original position. Thus it4will tbe seen that each time -a pulse is applied to the electromagnetEMB the plate 200 will be moved one step further lalong the shafts 201until eventually one of the projections 38 :comes into contact with .thecorrespond-ing rocker larrn`39 to actuate the micro-switches MS2, 2a or2b associated therewith.

In opeartion, the eleotromagnet EMB is energized each time the spacer 5is reciprocated by means of a normally open :rotary switch R.SW10ysuitably positioned adjacent f micro-switches MS2, 2a and 2b; each oneof them repre- Y sent-s a given bottle size. Moreover, the projections38 are staggered so that the projection 3S in line with the micro-switchMS2 yfor example will close the micro-switch after the plate 200 hasbeen movedalong the shafts 201 by 'a distance corresponding Ito fourteeth of the ratchet 203, while the position of the projection 38 inline with Y the micro-switch MSZb is such that the plate 200 will haveIto be moved a distance equal to tive teeth of the ratchet 203, land soon. Thus, by'mcans of a master selector (see Figure 16) onlythatmicro-switch MS2, 2a or 2b `corresponding to the size of the bottlesbeing haudled may be connected into the operating circuit.

As mentioned above, a further setnof micro-switches MS7, 7a and '7b areincorporated into the counter 36. These are actuated by means of anelectromagnet EMD in a manner identical to that described above in.connection with microswitchesMS'Z, 2a and 2b. The electromagnet EMD isenergized by a normally open switch R.SW10a mounted for actuation by afurther cam on the shaft 23. In Figure 8 a centre line is shown and themechanism associaed with micro-switches MS7, 7a and 7b may be consideredas a mirror image of Figure 8 below the centre line. The propermicro-switch MS7, 7a and 7b is selected according to the size of thebottles being handled by a mas-ter yselector as is the case with themicroswitches MS2, 2a and 2b,

The closing of the micro-switch MS7, 7a or 7b selected causes theengagement of the clutch 40 which acts to cause the cage '8 to movetransversely ofthe belt 4, while the micro-switch MS2, y2a or 2bselected acts to break connection between the photo-cell 6 and theelectromagnet EMl operating the clutch 7, thus preventing furtherreciprccation of the spacer 5 until the counter is reset. v

The counter 36 is reset by means of electromagnets EMC which areenergized by the closing of a normally open micro-switch -MSl (shown-only in Figure 16) so mounted adjacent the guide rails 57 as to beclosed by projections (not shown) formed on the cage '8. The position ofthese projections is such that the micro-svvi-tch MSI is closed eachtime and as the cage `8 moves transversely -of the belt 4. When theelectromagnets EMC 'Ille shafts 205:1, however, are rigidly xed 9 areenergized, frames 204 and 204a are pulled a-long shafts 205 and 2il5arespectively away from the plate 200 against the action of springs 208and 2tl8a respectively. Thus the catches 37 and 37a are disengaged fromthe ratchets 263 and 203:1 respectively and the plate 200 is permittedto resume its original position under the action of the springs 202.When this occurs the microswitches M82, 2a, 2b, M87, 7a and 7b resumetheir normal state.

Referring now to Figure 9, details of the clutch 40 are given. Hereagain, the degree of transverse movement which must be imparted to thecage 8 varies according to the size of the bottles being used. Thus theclutch may be engaged for diiferent lengths of time according to whichof three electromagnets EME, EMF or EMG is energized.

The clutch 40 consists of a main housing within which is located ahydraulic coupling 41 driven by a shaft 69a of the motor 69, a reductiongear stage 42, and a stop and start control unit 43. The purpose of thehydraulic coupling is to permit the driven side of the clutch to bestopped and started as is desired merely by a braking aotion rather thanby positive de-coupling.

The stop and start mechanism 43 consists of two discs 45 and -46 rigidlysecured to the driven shaft 46a of the clutch by means of a collar 47.Secured about the periphery of the discs 45 and 46 are a number of stopssuch as indicated by the numeral 44 (only one of which has been shown).Rigidly mounted within an extension 40a of the clutch housing are threeelectromagnets EME, EMF and EMG. These act respectively on plungers 48,49 and 50, which are slidably held in a frame 52 and are urged away fromthe electromagnets generally radially towards the peripheries of thediscs 45 and 46 by internally mounted spring 53. The frame 52 issimilarly urged by the springs 52a radially towards the peripheries ofthe discs 45 and 46.

Positioned to that side of the movable frame 52 reruote from theperipheries of the discs 45 and 46 is an electromagnet EMZ which, whenenergized, pulls the frame 2 in a direction away from the discs 45 and46 against the action of the springs '5211.

The electromagnets EME, EMF and EMG when enenergized retain the plungersacted on by them in the positions indicated by plungers 48 and 49 inFigure 9. When they are deenergized the plungers associated therewithassume the position indicated by plunger 50. As in the case of themicro-switches MS2, 2a and 2b and M87, 7a and 7b, the electromagnetsEME, EMF and EMG replresent quart, pint and half-pint bottlesrespectively. Pre-selection according to the size of the bottles beinghandled is effected through the master selector by means ofde-energizing only the electromagnet EME, EMF or EMG which correspondsto the size of the bottles being handled. It will be noted that inFigure 9, Vonly the plunger 50 associated with EMF is extended.

The projections 44 which are vco-planar with any one plunger -48-50 arespaced apart around the periphery of the disc 45 or 46 in accordancewith the degree of movement required of the cage 8 when handling bottlesof the size represented by the plunger concerned. With the frame 52 inthe position shown in Figure `9, the extended plunger 50 extends in thepath of the projections 44 coplanar therewith and prevents rotation :ofthe out-put shaft 46a. When the selected micro-switch M87, 7a or 7b inthe counter 36 is closed current is supplied to the windings of theelectro-magnet BMZ which pulls the frame 52 radially away from the discs45 and 46 thus removing the plunger from the path of the projections 44concerned. The :output shaft 46 will then commence to revolve and thecage S will commence to move transversely :of the belt 4. It will beremembered that movement of the cage 8 closes the micro-switch M81mounted adjacent thereto thus energizing the electromagnets EMC andresetting the counter 36. When this occurs the selected micro-switchM87, 7a or 7b reopens and the' electromagnet EMZ is de-energizedwhereupon the frame 52 resumes its rest position under the action ofsprings 52a bringing once again the end of the plunger 50 into the pathof the projections 44 mounted co-planar therewith about the periphery ofthe disc 46. This loperation is repeated until the cage 8 assumes itsinnermost position directly beneath the elevator frame `62.

As the cage moves into its innermost position a normally openmicro-switch M816 (see Figure 16) is closed by means of cams (not shown)mounted on the output shaft 46a of the clutch 40. Through themicro-switch M816 current is supplied to an electromagnet EMS associatedwith the elevator mechanism clutch 70.

The clutch 7G is similar to that illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 withthe exception that there are two blocks 29 with associated withdrawalmeans disposed in the path of the block 23. These are so disposed as tohalt the elevator both in the position shown in Figure 2 and also at thetop Vof its stroke. The energizing of electromagnet Elx/l5 permits theelevator to be raised from its rest position (Figure 2) to the uppermostposition.

Once the clutch 70 is engaged the elevator frame 62 commences to ascendand the pairs of jaws 74 close about the rims of the bottles thuslifting them clear of the loading plate '53. As mentioned before, thenumber and the spacing of the pairs `of jaws 74 may be changed by meansof the releasable plate 63.

The means whereby the pairs of jaws 74 grasp the bottles as the elevatorframe 62 ascends is illustrated in Figures l0 and ll. Each pair of jaws74 is suspended from the plate 63 by means of two rods 75 to the lowerend of which the individual jaws 74 are pivoted by means of pivot pins75a. Slidably mounted one on each of the pair of rods 75 are two sleeves76 rigidly secured one to each end of a bar 77 extending generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the jaws 74. The bars 77 extendingbetween the pair of rods 75 associated with each pair of jaws 74 are allsecured to a single bar 7S extending substantially across the width ofthe elevator at right-angles to the longitudinal axis of the jaws '74.The bar 7S is clearly shown in Figures 2 and l0.

Dependent from each bar 77 is a wedge-shaped member 79 which is disposedimmediately above two cooperating -lever arms 74a extending upwardlyfrom each of the individual jaws 74 of any pair thereof. The lever arm74a associated with any individual jaw 74 extends upwardly therefrom onthe same side of the pivot pins 75a as such individual jaw is disposed;thus when any pair of cooperating lever arms 74 are brought towards oneanother the corresponding jaws 74 move away from one another and viceversa. Each pair of jaws 74 are normally urged apart from one another bymeans of a tension spring Si) connected between projections Silaextending upwardly from each individual jaw 74 of a pair thereof. Thuswhen in the rest position, i. e., that shown in Figure 10, the leveramis 74 are urged together by the action of the spring 86 and the jaws74 are accordingly open.

As the elevator frame 62 ascends the bar 78 abuts against a projectionS1 rigidly secured to the frame of the machine thus preventing the bars77 and the wedges 79 dependent therefrom from continuing to rise withthe elevator frame 62. The elevator frame itselt` does continue to riseand carries with it the pairs of jaws 74 secured to the rods 75. Theeffect of this is to move the bars 77 and the sleeves 76 downwardlyrelative to the pairs of jaws 74. Thus the wedges 79 are driven betweenthe pairs of lever arms 74a forcing them apart and so bringing theindividual jawsY 74 of each pair thereof together to grasp the bottlespositioned therebetween. When the elevator frame 62 begins to descendthe bar 78 descends with it, the wedges 79 remaining between the leverarms 74a and holding the jaws closed. The action of the spring 7S is notsufficiently strong to force the l wedges 79 upwardly from between thelever arms 74a.

As the elevator frame 62 travels upwards a normally open micro-switchMS11 is operated by a cam on the driven shaft of the elevator mechanismclutch 70. The closing of the micro-switch MS11 energizes theelectromagnet EMS which engagesthe clutch 71 (of a type similar to theclutch 70) thus initiating withdrawal of the loading plate 58 from thedownward path of the elevator frame 62. As the elevator frame 62`reaches its uppermost position a normally open micro-switch M56actuated by a cam on the driven shaft of the clutch 70 is closed. Theclosing of the micro-switch M56 energized the electromagnet EMZ in theclutch 40 which acts to permit the :cage 8 to be returned to its initialouter position, as shown in Figure 1.

When the elevator frame 62 reaches its uppermost position a further camon the driven shaft of the elevator mechanism clutch 70 closes asuitably positioned normally open micro-switch 17. When the loadingplate 58 is fully withdrawn a cam on the driven shaft of the clutch 71also closes a similar suitably positioned micro-switch M518. Yet anothernormally open micro-switch M819 is closed when a shipping case isbrought correctly to rest beneath the elevator mechanism. The closing ofthese three micro-switches M517, 18 and 19 completes a circuit throughwhich an electromagnet EMG is energized. The electromagnet EM6 thenre-engages the clutch 70 thus causing the elevator to commence itsdescent.

Towards the bottom of the downward path of the elevator the bar 78 abutsagainst a projection 84 similar to the projection 81 described above.The projection 84 prevents further downward movement of the bar 87 and,therefore, also the wedges 79. The eifect of this is to cause the wedges79 to ascend relative to the jaws 74 and thus withdraw from between theco-operating lever arms 74a. The pairs of jaws 74 are then immediately`opened by the action of the spring 80 and the containers are released.Having now reached the bottom of its descent, the elevator frame 62commences to rise until it reaches the rest position shown in Figures 1and 2. The plate 58 is now returned to the loading position by theenergizing of an electromagnet FM4 through a micro-switch MS14 actuatedby the elevator mechanism clutch 70 and by the closing of a micro-switchM813 mounted adjacent the bar 78 (see Figure 2) and actuated thereby.

Details of the case delivery mechanism are given in Figures 12, 13, 14and 15. The shipping case conveyor 85, with guides 86, passes throughthe lower part of the machine directly through an extension of thedownward path of the elevator frame 62.V

The case stopping device generally indicated by numeral 89 in Figure 1,consists of a sector plate 92 (see Figures 12 and 13) mounted on a shaft91 for pivotal movement through an opening 93 in the guide plate 87. Thesector plate 92 is of generally semicircular shape having a step 94formed in the arcuate portion of lthe periphery thereof. The step 94effectively divides the sector plate 92 into two sectors 94a and 95, thelatter having the smaller radius.Y

When the sector plate 92 is at rest, the step 94 is held in abutmentwith the side of the plate 87 remote from the conveyor 85 by the actionof a tension spring 103 secured between the edge of the sector 95 and abracket 104 mounted on the plate 87. The plate 92 is shown in thisposition in Figure 12. In this position the sector V95 extends into thepath of empty cases advancing on the conveyor 85.

When the case abuts against the edge of the sector 95, the plate 92 isrotated in an anti-clockwise direction. As the plate 92 rotates atwo-position catch 96 engages the actuating lever of, and so closes, themicro-switch 19 (referred to above, in connection with the descent ofthe elevator mechanism). The plate 92 eventually comes to rest by theedge of the sector 94 abutting against a pivotally mounted stop 97. Thusa shipping case is halted on the conveyor 8S by the edge yof sector 95which As the elevator frame 62 commences to'ascend fromits lowermostposition, a cam on the shaft of theelevator mechanism clutch 70 closes afurther normally open micro-switch M520, the closing of Which energizesan electromagnet EM7. The electromagnet is mechanicallyv connectedthrough a rod 99 to the pivoted stop 97 and,

when energized, acts to pivot the stop 97 out of the path of the sectorplate 92. The conveyor 85, which has beenV continuously passing beneaththe held shipping case, is once more permitted to move the shipping casesince the plate 92is free to revolve further about the shaft 91.

if for any reason the loading case does not move forward immediatelywhen` the stopv 97 is pivoted, a leaf spring 102 secured to the edge ofsector 95 will bear against the loaded shipping case and force the'plate92 to revolve sufficiently to carry the operating surface 98 of catch 96(see Figures 13 and 14), passed the actuating lever of the micro-switch19, thus permitting that switch to open. As soon as the loaded shippingcase has passed over the sector 95, the plate 92 reverses its directionof rotation under the action of spring 103 and assumes its rest positionas shown in Figure 1. In order to prevent the operating surface 98 ofthe catch 96 from fouling the actuating lever of micro-switch M519,however, it is necessary to move the operating surface 98 out of align-Y ment with the aforesaid actuating lever. This is accomplished bymeans-of a projection (see Figure 13) which moves the catch 96 from litsoperative position toV advance of the position in which cases are heldfor lling.

The purpose of the delaying brake 90 is Vto delay the movement ofsuccessive cases along the conveyor 85 until the sector plate 92 has hadsulcient time to resume its rest position after the preceding case, nowloaded, has passed through the machine. It will be noted from Figure 13that a micro-switch MS21, which is normally closed, is so positioned inrelation to the stop 97'as to be actuated by that stop when it ispivoted by the electromagnet EM7. Whenever the micro-switch MS21 isopened by the action of the stop 97, an electromagnet EMS isde-energized thus permitting a bar 107 to be spring-urged into the pathof a stop arm 105 mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot pin 108.

It will be noted that once the pivot 97 moves out of the path of theplate 92 it is held against the micro-switch MS21 by the side of theplate 92 even though the electromagnetic EM7 which originally pivotedthe stop 97 has yceased to be energized. Thus the micro-switch MS21 isretained open until the plate 92 has cleared the stop 97 on its returnto its rest position. i

The stop arm 105 is so mounted that it extends down- Y wardly into thepath of the empty cases passing'into the machine and it is normally heldagainst the projection 106e by the action of a spiral spring 106.Whenever the end of a case comes into contact with the arm 105, however,the momentum of the case will be suicientto pivot the arm 105 about thepin 108 against the action of the spring 106.

` While a case is held immediately beneath the elevator mechanism (i.e., in position to be lled) the next case in line will remain, inrelation to the delay brake 90, in the position shown in Figure 15. Itis While the arm 105 is between the two ends of the waiting case thatthe microswitch M821 is open and the bar 167 is spring-urged into thepath of the arm S.

Thus, as the filled case ltaves the machine, the next case in lineproceeds to advance until the inner surface of its rearward endencounters the arm 16S. It is then halted (just short of having reachedthe position where it would abut against the sector 95) until the plate92 has been cleared by the loaded case and is able to return, under theaction of spring 103, to the position shown in Figure 12. As the plate92 revolves back to its rest position, the stop 97 is spring-urged backinto its normal position in the path of the plate 92 and themicro-switch 21 is ailowed to close. The electromagnet EMS is thenenergized thus retracting the bar 167 from the path of the arm 105. Theempty case is then of course carried forward by the conveyor 85 until itabuts against the edge of the sector 95, by which time the next case inline will be in the position shown in Figure 15.

Control circuit In addition to the various items of the control circuitwhich have already been mentioned in the foregoing description there area number of further safety devices which will be described in connectionwith Figure 16. While describing these additional safety devices thesequence of operation of the control circuit will be summarized.

rIhe entire circuit is energized through mains switches MASW. The masterselector 51 is then set according to the size of the bottles beinghandled. Again let us assume that the bottles being handled are quarts.Thus the quart light source, the quart micro-switches MS2 and MS7 reconnected into the circuit and the quart electromagnet alone isde-energized, As soon as the first bottle interrupts the beam from thequart light source to the photo-electric cell 6, a circuit is completedthrough an electromagnet EMA which closes a mercury switch MR.SW4, thuscompleting a circuit through the quart micro-switch MS2 andelectromagnet EMI.

As additional safety features, two normally closed micro-switches MSlaand MS3 are inserted in series with the mercury switch MR.SW4 and theelectromagnet EM'l. These micro-switches are so actuated respectively bya cam on the shaft of the clutch 40 which operates the cage 8 and by thecage 3 itself that they are held open whenever the cage 8 is in motionand while the cage 8 is in its innermost position. Thus it is assuredthat the spacer 5 which reciprocates Whenever the electromagnet EMI isenergized will not operate unless the cage 8 is stationary.

It will be recalled that the electromagnets EMB and EMD of the counter36 are energized whenever the spacer 5 reciprocates. This is effected bythe closing thereby of the rotary switches RSV/'10 and R.SW10a whichcomplete circuits through the electromagnets EMB and EMD.

lNhen the counter 36 has been tripped the requisite number of times, i.e., four in the case of quarts, microswitch MS2 will be opened andmicro-switch MS7 will be closed. Since micro-switch MS2 is in thecircuit of the electromagnet RM1 further reciprocation of the spacer 5is prevented until such time as the counter 36 is reset.

The closing of the micro-switch MS7 completes a circuit throughelectromagnet BMZ, thus electing engagement of the clutch 40 andmovement of the cage 8. It will be recalled that the electromagnet EMF,representing quarts, was selected and de-energized prior to thecommencement of the operation.

it will be noted from Figure 16 that a micro-switch MSS and a furthermicro-switch M89 are connected in series with the micro-switch MS7 andthe electromagnet EM2. The micro-switch MSS is retained closed wheneverthe loading plate 58 is stationary in its rest, or loading, position.The micro-switch M89 is located adjacent the driven shaft of the clutch7, which controls the spacer, and is so actuated by a cam mounted onsuch shaft that it is closed only when the spacer 5 is in the restposition 14 with the teeth thereof extending into the path of the'botlesof the conveyor d. Thus the circuit'of the electromagnet EMZ will onlybe compcted when the loading plate 58 is in position and when the spacer5 is at rest, i. e., in position to halt the flow of bottles into themachine.

As the cage S moves to bring its second channel into alignment with theconveyor 4 the micro-switch M81 mounted adjacent the gui-de rails 57 ofthe cage Sis closed, thus completing the circuit of the electromaguetEMC. The energizing of the electromagnet EMC resets `the counter 36 as aresult of which the micro-switch MS2 closes to permit further actuationof the electromagnet EM1, and the micro-switch MS7 opens to de-energzethe electromagnet EMZ. The de-energizing ofielectromagnet EM2 causes theclutch 4G to bring the cage S'to rest when the second channel is alignedwith the conveyor 4 in the manner described in connection with Figure.9. This cycle of operation is thus repeated until the cage 8 eventuallyattains its innermost position, i. e., that shown in Figure 3.

Having attained its innermost position, the microswitches MSla and M83are opened, thus preventing further actuation of the spacer 5 untilthecage 8 is returned to its rest position. At the same time themicro-switch M816 is closed by a cam on the driven shaft of theclutch40, thus completing the circuit of the electromagnet EMS vand initiatingascent of the elevator frame 62 to .its uppermost position.

When the cage 8 reaches its innermost position an additionalmicro-switch MSS connected in parallel with the micro-switches MS7, .MSSand MS9 is also closed by means of a cam on the driven shaft of theclutch 40. The eifect of closing the micro-switch MSS is partially tocomplete an auxiliary circuit through the electromagnet EM2.

As the elevator frame 62 ascends the micro-switch M811 is actuated by acam on the driven shaft of the elevator mechanism clutch 70 to complete,through the micro-switch MSS which is closed whenever the loading plateis in the loading position, the circuit of electromagnet EMS. Thisimmediately causes the withdrawal of the loading plate 53 from thedownward path of the ele` .vator frame 62.

lVhen the loading plate 58 reaches the withdrawn position, cams on thedriven shaft of the clutch 71 close two micro-switches MS12 and M818.The Vmicro-switch M512 partially completes the circuit of electromagnetEM4, while micro-switch MSlS partially completes the circuit ofelectromagnet EM6. t

When the elevator reaches the top of its stroke two furthermicro-switches M85 and MS17 are closed. The micro-switch M85 completesthe auxiliary circuit of electromagnet EM2 which causes the return ofthe cage 8 to its rest position. The micro-switch M817 partiallycompletes the circuit of electromagnet EM which controls the descent ofthe elevator frame 62.

lt is of course necessary to ensure that a shipping case is correctlypositioned beneath the elevator frame 62 and that the loading plate 5S`has been withdrawn before the elevator frame 62 descends. It is forthis reason that the micro-switches MS13 and M519 are connected inseries with micro-switch M817.

As mentioned before in connection with Figures 12 and 13, themicro-switch M519 is closed by the catch 96 on the sector plate 92whenever a shipping case moves the sector plate 92 into abutment withthe stop 97. The closing of the micro-switch M818, as mentioned above,occurs when the loading plate 58 is fully Withdrawn.

Once all three micro-switches M517, M818 and M819 are closed theelectromagnet EM6 is energized and the elevator frame 62 descends todeposit the bottles .in the Vshipping case.

Once the electromagnet EM6 has been energized the elevator mechanismclutch 70 will remain engaged until the elevator has descended and risen`again to its rest position, i. e., that indicated in Figures 1 and 2.Just prior T15 to the .elevator frame 62 reaching its rest position themicroswitch M814 actuated by a cam on the driven shaft of the clutch 70is closed, thus further completing the circuit of electromagnet EM4which had already been partially completed by the closing ofmicro-switch M812. Final completion of the circuit of electromagnet EM4,however, is not leffected unless the bottles have been properly releasedfrom the pairs of jaws 74 and the bar 78 is in its uppermost position inrelation to the elevator frame 62. If the bar 78 is in theaforementioned position it will close the micro-switch M813, which ispositioned 116 time, however, the driven shaft of the clutch 7) willhave rotated to the point where the appropriate carn on l the drivenshaft of the clutch 70 has permitted the microsomewhat below theprojection 81, coincidentally with the closing of the micro-switch M814,thus completing the circuit of electromagnet EM4.

When the electromagnet EM4 is closed the clutch 71 is again engaged andthe loading plate 58 is returned to its loading position.

The actuation of micro-switches M829 and M821 and the associatedelectromagnets EM7 and EMS has been fully described with reference toFigures l2, 13 and l5.

It should be noted that when the cage S is returned to its rest positionby the closing of micro-switches MSSl and M86, the spacer will commenceto reciprocate thus permitting bottles to move into the first channel ofthe cage 8. This goes on simultaneously with the descent of the elevatorframe 62 to deposit bottles in the awaiting case. However, before thecage 8 can move once the rst channel thereof is lled the elevator frame62 has toascend again to the point where the micro-switch M813 is closedand the loading plate 58 commences to return to its loading position. Itwill be remembered that whenever the loading plate 58 is out of itsloading position the micro-switch M88 is open. Since the micro-switchMSS is in series with the micro-switch M87 and electromagnet EM2, inwardmovement of the cage 8 is prevented,

even though it may be ready to move, until such time as the loadingplate 58 has reached the loading position and the micro-switch M88 isclosed once again.

As described in connection with Figures l() and ll the gripping andrelease of the bottles bythe pairs of jaws 74 is eiected automaticallyas the elevator frame 62 moves; thus there is no need for separatecontrol of these functions. It is necessary, however, to make allowancefor the fact rthat a shipping case, while properly positioned, may 4beso damaged as to prevent deposit of the bottles into it. It is for thisreason that the connecting rod 64 between the disc 66 and the elevatorframe 62 is slotted.' If the bottles encounter any obstruction whichprevents the elevator from completing its descent the pivot pin 67 (seeFigure 2) rides along the slot in the rod 64 until such time as itcommences to lift the elevator frame 62 up once again. If this hasoccurred it is necessary to cause the elevator frame 62 to descend onceagain without reloading once another shipping case has been properlypositioned, before another group of bottles can be fed into the machine;

This is effected by means of normally open microswitches M815 and MSlSawhich are connected in parallel with micro-switch M816. Micro-switchMSlSa is closed by means of a cam on the driven shaft of the clutch 70just before the elevator frame 62 reaches its rest position. Themicro-switch M815 is so positioned adjacent the path of the bar 78 thatit will be closed coincidentallywith the closing of micro-switch M815aonly if the bar 78 is in its lowermost position in relation to theelevator frame 62, i. e., if it has not been moved upwardly in relationto the elevator frame 62 toV withdraw the wedges 79 from between thelever arms 74a of the jaws 74.`

YCoincidental closing of micro-switches M815 and M815a permits thecontinued engagement of the clutch 70` by energizing electromagnet EMSso that the elevator continues to rise past its rest position. It is notuntil the elevator frame 62 has risen past its rest position that thebar 78 actuates the micro-Switch M813. yBy this switch M814 to reopen,thus the loading plate 58 is not returned to its rest position if thebottles are still suspended from the jaws 74 when the elevator frame 62ascends to its rest position. The loaded elevator now ascends to 'itsuppermost positionY and themicro-switc'n M817 is closed.v Themicro-switch M818 is of course still closed since the loading plate islstill retracted. Thus, as soon as the micro-switch M819 is closedindicating the arrival of a new shipping case in the loading position,the electromagnet EM6 is energized and the elevator frame descends todeposit the bottles in the new case. As in the case of a normal loadingoperation, the microswitch M86 is closed as the elevator frame 62reaches its uppermost position. However, this will have no effect on theelectromagnet EM2 controlling the operation of the cage 8 since the cage8 will be in its outermost position and the micro-switch M will be open.

Test or indicating lamps are provided in each circuit to give visualindication that the various subunits of the machine are functioningcorrectly. In a like manner the usual electrical safety features suchasfuses are provided in the circuits to prevent damage caused byelectrical overloading.

We claim:

l. A machine for placing containers into shipping cases comprising,conveyor means for delivering containers to said machine in singletile;4 intermittentlyactuated gate means for periodically admitting setsof a given number of containers one at a time into said machine; meanseffective to space the containers in each of said sets apart from oneanother; a support, intermittently-actuated loading means for receivingsaid sets of containers from said gate means and shiftable with thecontainers laterally of the conveyor to move each of said sets laterallyof said conveyor onto said support until the number of sets ofcontainers required to fill an empty case has been assembled on saidsupport; further means eiective to space said sets apart from oneanother; means sensitive to the assembly of the required number of setsof containers on said support whereby temporarily to prevent furtheroperation of said gate means and said loading means; means whereby togrip and raise the containers assembled on said support; meansresponsive to the raising of said containers whereby to move saidsupport from beneath said containers and to shift said loading means outof verticalA alignment with the assembled sets of containers; to lowersaid containers below the level of said support to ydeposit them in anawaiting case; and means sensitive to the deposition of said containersin said case eiective to return said support to itsoriginal position andto release for further operation said gate means and said loading means.

2. A machine as claimed in claim l including means to prevent thelowering of said containers unless a rcase is ready to receive` them.

3. A machine as claimed in claim l in which said gate kmeans comprise agate member mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of the path ofthe containers being fed to said machine on said conveyor means.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3 in which said means to space thecontainers in each of said sets apart from one another comprise a numberof spacing members generally parallel with said gate member forreciprocal movement into and out of the path of the containers admittedinto said machine by said gate member, said Spacing members beingdisposed beyond said gate member in relation to the direction of travelof said conveyor means and being spaced apart from said gate means andone anotherin the direction of travel of said conveyor means accordingto the spacing requiredbetween the containers in any set thereof.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 including means 17 sensitive to theabutment of a container against said gate member effective to cause saidintermittent reciprocation of said gate and spacing menbers into and outof the path of the containers on said conveyor means.

6. A machine as claimed in claim l in which said loading means comprisea multi-channel frame mounted for reciprocal movement transversely ofsaid conveyor means beyond said gate means in relation to the directionof travel of said conveyor means; the channels of said frame each lyinggenerally parallel to and above the plane of said conveyor means andextending in a direction generally parallel to the direction of travelof said conveyor means, each or said channels being open only at the endthereof directed towards said gate means.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6 in which said frame, when in its restposition, is disposed so that a first channel thereof is aligned withsaid conveyor means to receive the containers admitted by said gatemeans, and in which movement of said frame from its rest position to aloading position is step-wise, each step bringing a new channel intoalignment with said conveyor means until all the channels of said framehave passed over said conveyor means.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7 including means for controlling thestep-wise movement of said frame and sensitive to a number ofreciprocations of said gate means, said number corresponding to thenumber of containers in a set thereof.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8 in which movement of said frame iseective temporarily to halt movement of said gate means.

10. A machine as claimed in claim 9 including means adapted to beactuated by the attainment by said frame of its loading position,whereby further movement of both said gate means and said frame istemporarily halted.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 10 in which said frame, when in saidloading position, s directly above said support.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 7 in which said support is a movablymounted plate having thereon parallel guide ridges aligned with each oneof said gate and spacer members when said support is in its loadingposition.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said means whereby to gripand raise said containers assembled on said support includes a number ofpairs of 18 jaws mounted for vertical reciprocal movement, said jaws,when at rest, being above said support and disposed in the pattern inwhich said containers are assembled on said support.

14. A machine as claimed in claim 13 including means whereby said pairsof jaws are moved upwardly and are caused to grip the containers on saidsupport whenever said loading means has reached its loading position.

15. A machine as claimed in claim 14 including means whereby said pairsof jaws when ascending from their rest position to an uppermost positionactuate means effective to withdraw said support from beneath thecontainers suspended therefrom and to return said loading means to itsrest position, withdrawal of said support acting to prevent furthermovement of said loading means from its loading position.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said means whereby to gripand raise the containers assembled on said support comprise at least onepair of pivotally-mounted elongated jaw members capable of closing aboutthe necks of a number of containers assembled in a row, ahorizontally-disposed common axis for said jaw members, a verticallymovable elevator frame supporting said common axis, co-operating leverarms extending upward from each pair of jaw members, one lever arm beingsecured to each jaw member and disposed on the same side of said commonaxis as such jaw member, said jaws members being spring urged away fromone another, wedge means slidably carried on said elevator frame, saidwedge means being aligned with a pair of such co-operating lever arms,means whereby to force said wedge means between said lever arms to movesaid jaw members towards one another when said elevator commences toascend, and means to withdraw said wedge means from between said leverarms just before said elevator reaches its lowermost position insubsequent descent.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,243,407 Hawthorne Oct. 16, 1917 2,277,688 Cattonar et al. Mar. 31,1942 2,358,447 Creamer Sept. 19, 1944 2,371,026 Cattonar et al. Mar. 6,1945

